The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,126 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£18,149

1.5L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (stop/

Low Mileage

£13,000

Finance available £268 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 2.0T GTI 3dr

£1,000

2L
169.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NJH Car Sales

01792940411 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

Reduced

£7,985

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
106.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,039

1.5L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Bolton

01204329200 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

1.6L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MH UK MOTORS LTD

02038933705 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - SE TDI DSG DPF 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,000

2L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Glenn Palmer Cars

01603937367 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
87.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£39,990

1.5L
1.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.9L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Granthams Garage ltd

01905672442 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 Golf GTi Launch 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,990

2L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

1.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cars Of Cowbridge

01446508084 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,400

Finance available £219 pm

1L
44.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (2

£18,300

Finance available £379 pm

1.4L
28.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£35,995

2L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark MINI Tayside

01382238683 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

£5,521

1.4L
118.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 TSi BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

1.2L
61.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£23,979

Finance available £472 pm

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
74.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2020)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2016 to 2020)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

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